How much faster than its present rate should the earth rotate about its axis, so that the bodies at the equator experience weightlessness? Also find the duration of day. Take g = 9.8 m/s2.
We know that acceleration due to gravity at equator is,
where, is the angular velocity of the earth.
Angular velocity of Earth=
If the acceleration due to gravity at the equator becomes zero, the body at equator experiences weightlessness.
Let be the angular velocity of rotation at which the acceleration due to gravity at the equator becomes zero.
That is,
Now,
Thus, the earth should rotate 17 times faster than the present rate.
Rotation speed increases by a factor of 17.
Therefore, the duration of day decreases by factor 17.
New duration of day,